When guest blogger Carla Luna decided to chart her course as an indie-published author, she knew she wanted to write a series of romantic comedies set in the world of archaeology. What better way to make use of her past profession than to fictionalize it?

When guest blogger Erika Hoffman walked into a restaurant called Il Culaccino, she mentally noted how a single word can spark curiosity in someone unfamiliar with it.

What is it about a story that compels readers to stay up far later than they should? Why is it we have trouble getting to the end of one book, yet we fly through another?

It’s a tough decision for a writer to make, one of the toughest. All your life you’ve fantasized about one of the Big Five buying your book and its subsequent astronomical launch into the stratosphere. But it hasn’t happened yet. When do you turn off the traditional road and drive toward the indie aesthetic?

Until I wrote Jovian Son, I’d never attempted to write a sequel. I was nervous about it. It felt like new territory. But as soon as I began to write, I realized it was actually easier than starting a new story.

One writer shares her process for crafting a novel.

Unlock the secret power reading provides writers.

A writing exercise you can do while you’re decking the halls.

As literary citizens, indie authors can give back in many ways. Here are a few of them.

Beta readers read your manuscript and provide constructive criticism on the big things like pacing, plot, characters, and voice. They are not friends, parents, siblings, or anyone else who will worry about hurting your feelings.

This week’s 7 Answers from an Author column features indie author R. L. Crossland, who most recently published The Abalone Ukulele.

There are as many ways to garner inspiration as there are to write a novel. In this article, I share what works for me.

This week’s 7 Answers from an Author column features indie author Joan Ramirez, who most recently has published a nonfiction book called The Write Rules.

Welcome to a new feature of my Self-Publishing 101 blog! On occasion, I will post short yet informative interviews with indie authors (and others), so that we can learn from each other and other people in the business. This week, Nicolas Lietzau is featured in 7 Answers from an Author.

No matter who your characters are, what their dilemma is, what your writing style may be, the structure of your story will help to usher the reader from beginning to end. Without structure, the writer risks getting off to a slow start, sinking into the muddy middle, and/or crashing and burning at the end.

Before you send your manuscript to beta readers or a professional editor, revise with these 4 content issues in mind.

A discussion of the challenges, the process, some advice, and more.

From one writer to another, here are five things I wish I’d known from the get-go.

The essential element that will make your book essential reading.